Schooling
Primary Education
Ancient Rome lacked free education. Primary education, however, was relatively cheap. Parents thought it worthwhile to send their sons and often their daughters to school to receive primary education. It taught them essential skills for adult life including reading, writing, poetry and arithmetic. Pupils attended primary education for five to six years beginning from the age of six. Ludi magister (the teacher) or litterator (teacher of letters) taught small classes in an open space or a small rented apartment. Children in the upper-classes were always accompanied by a paedagogus (Greek slave) who helped them with any tasks and assisted them to learn Greek. Consequently, many children were brought up bi-lingual in Latin and Greek. The pupils wrote on slates coated with dark wax and wrote with a stilus (a sharp-pointed pen of metal, wood, bone or ivory, with a flat end to rub out finished work). The teacher wrote a ‘fair copy’ that the children copied. These ‘fair copies’ often contained advice about life and work. Most schools, often the larger ones, had a calculator (an arithmetic assistant). The pupils learned to count by a system where hand-positions stood for numbers and worked out hard equations by using the abacus (a frame with beads or pebbles). After attending primary education children were then ready for commercial trades. Boys would be allowed to become apprentices of trades such as carpentry. Most girls stayed at home until marriage. Secondary Education The majority of the remaining pupils were sons of the wealthy, however, some belonged to ambitious parents who wanted the best for their children. Secondary education teachers were called the grammaticus. He was often a Greek slave and was underpaid. Secondary education saw students expand their vocabulary. The syllabus consisted essentially of literature, especially poetry. Pupils retained their Latin and Greek studies by learning how to deliver long speeches to ensure accurate pronunciation. They were also taught in rhetoric (the art of making speeches), history, geography and astronomy. Rhetor and Rhetoric The rhetor taught wealthy boys from the age of sixteen about rhetoric and public speaking. This programme didn't have a practical purpose for some. Those who wished to pursue a career in law and politics, however, needed this knowledge. The pupils were trained endlessly in repetitious exercises. They learned the theory of rhetoric through both Latin and Greek literature. They did practical exercises, such as composing suitable speeches for weddings and funerals. They also learned how to write controversiae (formal set speeches) and suasoriae (informal set speeches). For many, this stage of education led to a future as a senator or barrister. |